Donald Trump accuses Democrats of treason for not applauding him

Donald Trump has accused Democrats of being "un-American" and maybe even treasonous for failing to applaud him during his State of the Union speech.

The president said during a speech in Ohio that the Democrats last week gave off "bad energy" as he delivered his first State of the Union address, failing to clap even at positive economic news.

He called their reception "un-American" and asked: "Shall we call that treason? Why not?"

He added: "They certainly didn't seem to love our country very much."

It has become standard for members of the opposing party to give the president a chilly reception as he updates the nation on the State of the Union.

Mr Trump said Democrats would rather see him do poorly than see the US do well.

The president also took credit for the fact that no American football players took a knee during the national anthem at Sunday's Super Bowl.

Speaking at an Ohio factory about the economy and tax cuts, he changed the topic to Sunday's game between the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles.

He told the audience at a local manufacturer: "There was nobody kneeling at the beginning of the Super Bowl. We've made a lot of improvement, haven't we?"

Mr Trump has been critical of NFL players who have been kneeling during the national anthem at games to protest about police treatment of minorities.

He says the practice is disrespectful to members of the armed forces.

None of Sunday's players took part in any demonstration during the anthem.

During what turned into a wide-ranging speech, Mr Trump criticised House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi for describing as "crumbs" the bonuses of $1,000 or more that some companies, including the one he spoke at, are giving their workers as a result of the tax cuts.

He said: "She's a rich woman who lives in a big beautiful house," adding that the "crumbs" remark was not a "good day" for Ms Pelosi, whom he referred to as the Republicans' "secret weapon".

She responded on Twitter, writing: "Every American should be alarmed by how @realDonaldTrump is working to make loyalty to him synonymous with loyalty to our country. That is not how democracy works."

Every American should be alarmed by how @realDonaldTrump is working to make loyalty to him synonymous with loyalty to our country. That is not how democracy works.